NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Chapter 2: System Reward and parents
The soft chirping of birds broke the silence as Lin Dong opened his eyes. The rays of sunlight streaming through the gaps in the wooden walls illuminated the small, cozy hut he had called home for years. It was simple, with a few wooden stools, a stone table, and an old cooking pot. Despite its modesty, it held memories of warmth and love.
Lin Dong sat up, his heart heavy with the thought of his father's condition. The frail figure of Lin Xiao lying in bed flashed in his mind, and guilt gnawed at him. His fists clenched as he resolved to find a way to heal his father.
Suddenly, the familiar mechanical voice echoed in his head.
[Daily Sign-In Reward Available. Would you like to claim it now?]
Lin Dong's eyes sharpened. "Claim."
[Congratulations! You have received "Heavenly Vitality Elixir."]
A small jade bottle materialized in Lin Dong's hand, glowing faintly with a golden hue. The system's voice followed.
[Description: A miraculous elixir capable of repairing damaged meridians and revitalizing the body. Effective for injuries caused by Yuan Power deprivation.]
Tears welled up in Lin Dong's eyes as he whispered, "This… this can save Father."
He rushed to the adjacent room, where Lin Xiao lay on a wooden bed. His once-strong frame was now weak and thin, but his eyes still held a faint light of determination. Sitting beside him was Lin Dong's mother, who dabbed a cloth on Lin Xiao's forehead.
"Mother, Father," Lin Dong said softly, his voice trembling. "I… I found something that might help."
His mother looked at him, her expression a mix of hope and doubt. "Dong'er, what is it?"
Lin Dong held up the jade bottle. "It's an elixir. It can heal Father's injuries."
Lin Xiao's eyes widened slightly. "Dong'er, where did you…"
"Father, please trust me. Just drink this," Lin Dong interrupted, gently uncorking the bottle.
His mother hesitated before nodding. Lin Dong helped his father sit up and carefully poured the golden liquid into his mouth. The room fell silent as they watched.
Moments later, a warm glow enveloped Lin Xiao. His pale complexion gradually regained color, and his breathing grew steady. Lin Xiao opened his eyes, his voice stronger than before. "Dong'er, this… what miracle have you brought us?"
Lin Dong smiled through his tears. "Father, you're going to be fine now."
Lin Xiao placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Dong'er, I'm proud of you. You've grown so much."
"Father, Mother," Lin Dong said, his voice firm. "I swear I'll protect this family and make us strong again."
His mother's eyes glistened with tears as she held both their hands. "We believe in you, Dong'er."
Later that day, Lin Dong stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air. The familiar scent of the woods and the gentle rustling of leaves brought back memories of simpler times. As he walked, he spotted a petite figure by the stream near their hut.
"Qing Tan," Lin Dong called out.
His little sister turned, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "Big Brother!"
Lin Dong chuckled as Qing Tan ran toward him, her laughter echoing through the woods. She threw her arms around him, and he patted her head affectionately.
"You've been busy lately, Big Brother. Did you forget about me?" Qing Tan pouted.
"How could I forget my favorite little sister?" Lin Dong teased. "Come on, let's sit by the stream. I'll tell you some stories."
They sat by the water, Qing Tan's eyes sparkling with curiosity as Lin Dong recounted tales of heroes and adventures. He couldn't help but notice the number floating above her head.
[Qing Tan: Favorability 90/100. Status: Deep Admiration.]
Lin Dong's heart skipped a beat. "Ninety? Does that mean…?"
He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought. "She's just a child. It's probably admiration, nothing more."
But a part of him couldn't ignore the possibility. He glanced at Qing Tan, who was happily tossing pebbles into the stream, oblivious to his thoughts.
"Fate will decide," Lin Dong murmured to himself, choosing to leave the matter alone for now.
As night fell, Lin Dong sat cross-legged in his room. The system's voice echoed in his mind again.
[Would you like to explore the system functions?]
"Show me what you can do," Lin Dong said.
**[System Functions:]
Daily Sign-In: Claim rewards to aid your journey.
Hidden Features: Discover through exploration.
Current Status:
Cultivation: Tempered Body Stage 3
Age: 15
Favorability Relationships: Viewable
Inventory: 1 item (Heavenly Vitality Elixir - Used)]**
Lin Dong's eyes gleamed. "A system with no tasks. Just rewards and mysteries? Interesting."
He pondered the possibilities. The cultivation system in this world was as he remembered: Tempered Body, Yuan Power, and beyond. With the system's help, his progress could surpass anything he had achieved in his previous life.
"Let's see how far we can go this time," Lin Dong muttered, a determined smile on his face.
The moonlight bathed Qingyang Town as Lin Dong gazed out the window. His journey had restarted, but this time, he held an advantage no one could foresee. With his family by his side and the system guiding him, Lin Dong was ready to rewrite his destiny.